SUNNYVALE, CA, Dec 22, 2011 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) --AMD (NYSE: AMD) today launched the AMD Radeon(TM) HD 7970 graphics
card for desktop PCs, introducing the world's fastest single-GPU
graphics card and the only GPU based on 28nm production
technology.(1) With the arrival of the AMD Radeon HD 7970, AMD has
unleashed its revolutionary new Graphics Core Next Architecture that
enables new levels of gaming and compute capabilities -- realizing an
improvement of over 150% in performance/sq mm over the prior
generation.(2) Engineered with support for PCI Express 3.0 and AMD
CrossFire(TM) technology, the AMD Radeon HD 7970 graphics card
arrives prepared for the next level of gaming.(3)

"True to the maxim, 'never settle,' AMD is once again aggressively
advancing the state of the graphics industry -- this time with the
arrival of the world's fastest single-GPU graphics card, the AMD
Radeon HD 7970," said Matt Skynner, corporate vice president and
general manager, GPU Division, AMD. "This graphics card represents a
revolution in the graphics industry. To put it bluntly, the AMD
Radeon(TM) HD 7970 changes everything!"

"The AMD Radeon HD 7970 is an awesome tool in any gamer's arsenal,"
said Johan Andersson, Rendering Architect at DICE. "We have worked
closely with AMD during the development of the Frostbite 2 game
engine to take full advantage of AMD Eyefinity multi-display
technology and DirectX(R) 11 for a more realistic, entertaining and
visceral gaming experience in Battlefield 3."

Efficient Architecture for Leading DirectX(R) 11 Performance

-- New architecture for greater performance: AMD has further enhanced its
GPU design efficiency through the introduction of the 28nm process
technology and Graphics Core Next Architecture, realizing an
improvement of over 150% in performance/sq mm over the prior
generation.
-- Refined AMD PowerTune technology: Designed with the most advanced
power management features, the AMD Radeon HD 7970 is equipped with the
intelligence to convert unused power headroom into extra performance
by dynamically controlling clock speeds, allowing gamers advanced
performance inside of the power envelope they specify.
-- AMD ZeroCore Power Technology: Gamers asked, AMD delivered -- the AMD
ZeroCore Power technology found in the AMD Radeon HD 7970 ensures that
no power is wasted when the graphics card is not in use, enabling
lower idle power than any other currently available graphics card.
With support for AMD CrossFire technology, AMD ZeroCore Power
eliminates wasted power, as well as additional heat and noise from
extra cards when you are not using them.
-- PCI Express 3.0: The AMD Radeon HD 7970 comes natively equipped with
support for PCI Express 3.0. With world-class performance scaling,
enthusiasts' GPU experience is maximized when paired with the latest
platforms.
-- Discrete Digital Multi-Point (DDM) Audio: DDM Audio provides multiple
independent audio streams for audio-capable displays via DisplayPort
or HDMI signals. DDM Audio delivers unique experiences in cases where
multi-display video conferencing, directional audio or multi-room
entertainment hubs are being used.
-- Enhanced Multi-GPU Capabilities: AMD CrossFire technology is the
ultimate multi-GPU performance gaming platform. Unlocking
game-dominating power, AMD CrossFire technology, coupled with PCI
Express 3.0, will allow for unprecedented bandwidth in TriFire and
QuadFire configurations.

-- Next Generation AMD Eyefinity technology: AMD Eyefinity 2.0 features
all-new support for stereo 3D, universal bezel compensation, brand new
display configurations and an expanded and more immersive field of
view. This allows users with 2560x1600 monitors in an AMD Eyefinity
5x1 landscape configuration to achieve a horizontal resolution of
12,800 pixels, driving more than 20 million pixels of screen real
estate. More than 70 game titles have been AMD Eyefinity-validated,
while many are AMD Eyefinity-ready, and hundreds more are AMD
Eyefinity-compatible.
-- DisplayPort 1.2 and HDMI 1.4a: With full support for 3GHz HDMI 1.4a
and DisplayPort 1.2 HBR2, the AMD Radeon HD 7970 is set to drive next
generation displays at up to 4K resolution.
-- 3D entertainment choices with AMD HD3D technology: With the arrival of
the latest in stereo 3D technology, AMD continues to deliver an
enhanced visual experience on stereo 3D-capable desktops and notebooks
powered by AMD Radeon graphics. The AMD Radeon HD 7970 is backed by
AMD's open 3D initiative for stereo 3D gaming and Blu-ray 3D movies.

About AMD
AMD (NYSE: AMD) is a semiconductor design innovator leading
the next era of vivid digital experiences with its groundbreaking AMD
Fusion Accelerated Processing Units (APUs) that power a wide range of
computing devices. AMD's server computing products are focused on
driving industry-leading cloud computing and virtualization
environments. AMD's superior graphics technologies are found in a
variety of solutions ranging from game consoles, PCs to
supercomputers. For more information, visit http://www.amd.com.

AMD, the AMD Arrow logo, CrossFire, Radeon, and combinations thereof
are trademarks of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. Windows is a
registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States
and/or other countries. OpenCL is a trademark of Apple Inc., used
with permission by Khronos. Other names are for informational
purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners.

(1) As of December 22, 2011, the AMD Radeon(TM) HD 7970 scores in
excess of X2700 in 3DMark(R) 11, the highest single-GPU graphics card
score achieved on a stock platform to date.

(2) The AMD Radeon(TM) HD 7970 Series GPU offers more than 1.54X
times the compute power/mm2 when compared to the AMD Radeon(TM) HD
6970 Series GPU: the AMD Radeon(TM) HD 6970 Series GPU has been
calculated at 2.703 TFLOPs of compute power with a measured die size
of 389mm2, while the AMD Radeon(TM) HD 7970 Series GPU has been
calculated at 3.789 TFLOPs of compute power with a die size of
352mm2.

(3) Utilization of PCI Express 3.0 bandwidth requires a mainboard
equipped with a PCI Express 3.0 PHY. Not all mainboards feature this
technology -- check with your component or system manufacturer for
specific model capabilities.

(4) AMD Eyefinity technology works with games that support
non-standard aspect ratios, which is required for panning across
multiple displays. To enable more than two displays, additional
panels with native DisplayPort(TM) connectors, and/or DisplayPort(TM)
compliant active adapters to convert your monitor's native input to
your card's DisplayPort(TM) or Mini-DisplayPort(TM) connector(s), are
required. Support for six simultaneous displays may require
complementary products compatible with DisplayPort 1.2 Multi-Stream
Transport. Maximum number of configured displays may vary -- check
with your component or system manufacturer for specific model
capabilities and supported technologies. SLS ("Single Large Surface")
functionality requires an identical display resolution on all
configured displays.

(5) AMD PowerPlay, AMD PowerTune and AMD ZeroCore are technologies
offered by certain AMD Radeon products, which are designed to
intelligently manage GPU power consumption in response to certain GPU
load conditions. Not all products feature all technologies -- check
with your component or system manufacturer for specific model
capabilities.